Genshin Impact: I, Heavenly Principle, Will Make Teyvat Supreme

"Of course you can. As long as there's no dereliction of duty, I won't interfere with a god's leisure time."

"Look at that guy Barbatos—he doesn't stay in Mondstadt all the time either."

Nahida placed her index finger on her lips, contemplating. "So that's how it is?"

"Of course. Even when Phanes was still the Heavenly Principle, things weren't that strict."

...

Meanwhile, in Mondstadt—

At Angel's Share, Barbatos had just returned, exhilarated after cleansing the Black Bullet world.

The last time he had used his full divine power was during the Archon War when he shaped Mondstadt's terrain.

This time, he finally understood the extent of his strength. Though the world level affected things, he couldn't achieve such feats in Teyvat, as its physical matter, space, and laws were now immensely fortified.

But that wasn't the most important thing—his long-cherished wish from the Archon War was finally within reach.

His dear friend's constellation had vanished during the war, but if Lord Noah could resurrect even Phanes, then surely reviving a mere mortal friend wouldn't be impossible.

Such joyous news! How could Barbatos—the world's greatest bard, Venti—resist celebrating with wine?

Not only would he drink, but he would also drink the finest wine in the most prestigious tavern. And of course, he wouldn't drink alone—he'd share it with that long-lost friend.

So, without hesitation, he emptied all the money he had earned from busking since his awakening.

"Master Diluc, bring me the finest wine in Mondstadt."

With confidence, Venti pushed a pile of Mora onto the bar and then whispered, "If this isn't enough, can I put it on a tab? I'll pay back the moment I earn some money from singing."

Diluc glanced at the dust-covered Mora and then at the eager-eyed Anemo Archon, sighing internally. Turning away, he retrieved the most expensive bottle from Dawn Winery's collection and placed it on the counter.

"This is a sixty-year-aged wine, priced at four hundred thousand Mora. You'll have to sign a debt note for three hundred and ten thousand Mora."

Venti's mouth watered. "No problem, no problem."

Diluc observed the god who showed not a single trace of divinity. He didn't believe for a second that Barbatos lacked divine power.

The more harmless he appeared, the stronger he likely was. When Diluc had stormed the Fatui base alone after his father's death, he had learned that lesson the hard way.

For a god who had protected Mondstadt for thousands of years, a few bottles of wine daily were a small offering. But he knew Barbatos wouldn't accept free drinks—that would only deter him from drinking altogether.

Elated, Venti tucked the bottle away and immediately began performing in the tavern to earn his keep.

"Hey, the bard is back with another tale!"

"What's today's story, bard?"

"Tell us something new—maybe a legend from another nation."

Venti rubbed his hands together. "Heh heh, what stories would you all like to hear? If I do well, will someone treat me to a fruit wine?"

Just then, a familiar voice rang out…

"If your story is good enough, I'll cover your drinks for an entire year!"

Venti turned quickly toward the corner, instantly recognizing two figures despite their disguised appearances.

Even with their efforts to look ordinary, he immediately identified them—Lord Heavenly Principle and the Lesser Lord Kusanali of Sumeru, Nahida.

But there was no need to panic. He had expected Lord Heavenly Principle's arrival, so he quickly put on a fawning expression.

"Oh my, isn't this Lord Noah and the lovely young lady of Sumeru? A pleasure, a pleasure."

Nahida was astonished by the Anemo Archon's obsequious behavior. The renowned god of Mondstadt was living among ordinary people, performing for his drinks.

Was this what Liyue referred to as a noble's private visit?

Noah grinned. "Bartender, serve the bard a fine drink to wet his throat."

Venti's face lit up. "Oh ho, what an honor! Lord Noah, what tale would you like to hear? I'll even sing it for you!"

Receiving a drink from Lord Heavenly Principle himself? That meant his mission had been completed splendidly.

Noah smiled. "Legend has it that over two thousand years ago, during the birth festival of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata of Sumeru, many gods gathered to offer their blessings—including Mondstadt's very own Barbatos."

"So, bard, embellish this tale for us."

The tavern patrons gasped.

"Whoa! A story from Sumeru?"

"And about the Sabzeruz Festival?"

"I've heard of the festival but never knew its origins."

"This won't be easy."

"Yeah, a year's worth of drinks is on the line."

Diluc, who had been polishing a glass, turned to watch closely.

Having the Anemo Archon recount a story of attending another god's birthday?

He took a deep breath.

This man… he didn't recognize him. He certainly wasn't from Mondstadt.

Considering how Barbatos had immediately recognized and flattered him, Diluc deduced something shocking.

Their Anemo Archon, for all his shameless antics, never groveled before anyone.

Could it be… that this person was a god even more powerful than Barbatos?

Diluc knew of the World Assimilation Plan, though he hadn't been officially informed yet. If Mondstadt ever needed him, he would not hesitate to act.

"The Sabzeruz Festival..." Nahida's clover-shaped eyes twinkled as she gazed at the Anemo Archon, who was disguised as a bard. Her own birth had also taken place during the the Goddess of Flowers's Birthday Festival.

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's birthday was her birthday as well. Was this story going to be about the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata from over two thousand years ago?

Venti removed his hat and gave a deep, gentlemanly bow. "Then, as a humble bard, I shall take on the challenge of recounting that grand occasion... Oh, wait, I mean, the story of Sumeru's Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's Sabzeruz Festival."

His slip of the tongue drew laughter from everyone in the tavern.

"Haha! If someone were offering me a year's worth of drinks, I'd take the challenge too."

"If you actually pull this off, you'll have all the drinks you want for a year!"

"Amazing! I'm so jealous."

"Go for it, bard!"

Venti grinned and said, "Thank you, my friends, for your support." He then retrieved his lyre from his belt.

"And now, Mondstadt's greatest bard shall sing his tale. Lend me your ears, my friends."

The gentle and melodious strumming of the lyre began to fill the air.

"Sing of ancient times, where poets rise,

Where gods once dwelled beneath mortal skies."

The enchanting magic of the melody calmed the previously rowdy tavern.

"This is a story from roughly 2,300 years ago."

"Legend has it that on the thousandth birthday of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, gods from all corners were invited to a grand banquet. However, due to the chaos of the times, few gods were able to attend."

"The people of Sumeru offered dried fruits and fine wine to celebrate their god, forming a long procession to welcome the arriving gods."

"And among them was none other than our own Anemo Archon, Lord Barbatos."

"Rejoice, celebrate, and delight, for all had gathered to honor the God of Wisdom's birth."

"A crimson carriage arrived from the desert, carrying King Deshret, who presented a lamp to illuminate the night."

"The Goddess of Flowers, Malikata, emerged amidst a sea of blossoms, dancing upon a stage adorned with Padisarahs, a sight so mesmerizing that even the birds dared not blink."

"Rex Lapis descended from the sky in the form of a great stone dragon, presenting a Night Jade goblet, intricately carved by his own hands."

"And from the thousand winds came our very own Barbatos, strumming his lyre and offering his most heartfelt blessings."

"For seven days the grand festival lasted, yet even the merriest of feasts must come to an end."

"King Deshret departed in his grand chariot."

"The Goddess of Flowers planted Padisarahs in the rainforest, ensuring their eternal bloom."

"Rex Lapis promised that after an era of peace and prosperity, they would reunite once more in Liyue."

"And Lord Barbatos, satisfied and brimming with the finest of wines, departed with joy in his heart."

"From that day forward, the people of Sumeru continued the tradition, recreating the first Sabzeruz Festival in honor of their god."

As Venti's poetic song came to an end, the tavern erupted into applause.

"Wow! That was amazing!"

"Venti, that was one of your best performances!"

"Yeah! It felt like I was actually there."

"You've been holding back on us! If I knew you were this talented, I'd have treated you to drinks long ago."

"I felt like I had stepped into an ancient time, celebrating alongside the gods."

"You sly bard, keeping such skills hidden! If you had shown this earlier, you'd never have had to pay for a drink in your life."

Venti welcomed the praise with a playful smile. "Thank you, my friends, for your kind words."

Of course, his lyre carried the blessing of the thousand winds, making his performance truly immersive.

Tonight, he had given it his all—because Lord Heavenly Principle had asked him to perform.

Noah nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad at all. That was truly a fine performance. You shall be handsomely rewarded."

A Mora card from the Northland Bank appeared in Noah's hand, and he tossed it toward Diluc, who quickly caught it.

"This card contains one hundred million Mora. I'm covering this bard's drinks for an entire year."

Diluc glanced deeply at Noah before nodding. "Understood." If even Mondstadt's own Anemo Archon had displayed his power, then this man was surely an even greater god. The small girl beside him might not just be a god—she could be a divine being's chosen companion.

"Oh wow! A hundred million Mora for a year's worth of drinks?"

"How extravagant!"

"He must be a wealthy merchant from Snezhnaya."

"That's more than enough to bathe in the finest wine for a whole year!"

As the tavern patrons marveled at the sheer generosity, the small girl beside Noah curiously asked,

"Bard, why did all the gods bring gifts to celebrate the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's birthday, but only the Anemo Archon took something from Sumeru instead?"

Pfft!

Several patrons, mid-drink, choked and sprayed their wine in surprise.

"Hahaha, kids sure focus on different things!"

"But she's got a point. It does seem like our Anemo Archon didn't bring a gift and even took Sumeru's fruit wine on his way out."

"Bard, you aren't tarnishing our Anemo Archon's reputation, are you?"

Venti's face froze in embarrassment. "Of course not! I make my living off storytelling—I'd never smear his name! This is simply the recorded version of Sumeru's history. I just happen to know some extra details."

Ah, how had he ended up singing about the time he sneakily took the leftover fruit wine from the festival banquet?

Nahida blinked her large eyes. "So, Barbatos only went to the banquet for free drinks?"

Venti's mouth twitched. Oh dear, little God of Wisdom, why must you dig so deep?

At the time, Sumeru produced fruit wine while Mondstadt only had grain-based alcohol. When he heard that the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had invited gods from all around and prepared a banquet with fruit wine and delicacies, he—still a newly ascended god—had shamelessly joined in.

But would he admit it? No way! That would be too embarrassing for a god!

"Of course not. Lord Barbatos' gift was his beautiful music! Music is vital—it set the mood for the entire festival."

The tavern's patrons nodded in agreement.

"He's got a point. A banquet without music wouldn't be as festive."

"Our Anemo Archon is truly thoughtful."

"Yeah, who knew Mondstadt's god had a role in Sumeru's festivals? That's something to be proud of."

Nahida pondered for a moment. "So that's how it is?"

Venti quickly nodded. "Exactly." He subtly wiped the sweat from his forehead. It would've been one thing to lose face in front of old folks like Morax, but to be embarrassed in front of a younger generation of gods? He had to keep some dignity.

Noah chuckled. "Hahaha, well done. I'm quite pleased. Let's take our conversation outside."

He stood up, taking Nahida's hand and leading her toward the tavern's exit.

Venti, eager and flattered, hurried after them, rubbing his hands together. "Heh heh, of course, of course."

The tavern buzzed with murmurs.

"Oh~ Looks like that broke bard finally found himself a wealthy patron."

"So envious! If only I had artistic talent like that."

"Imagine having unlimited drinks…"

Only Diluc remained lost in thought, contemplating the conversation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:

Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven